Bit synchronization of dpsk data transmission system



Sept. l0, 1968 H. c. KLUEVER ET AL 3,401,339

BIT SYNCHRONZATION OF DPSKvDATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 18, 1965 (mm 123D D Rn zt ma n :v m y 0 ED E .l w N H M502 m KM. C. m E Uz U A DT B nos mm :m oz RN AE HK Sept. 10, 1968 H C, KLUEVER ET AL 3,401,339

BIT SYNCHRONIZATION OF DPSK DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 18, '1965 4 Sheets-Sheet mUSmO /NI/ENO` HAROLD C. KLUEVER KENNETH R. MGCDAVID BY ATTORNEY m. WQ

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sept. 1o, 196s H. C. KLUEVER ET AL BIT SYNCHRONIZATION OF DPSK DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 18, 1965' 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 F/G 4 FROM I AT R ADVANCE" OSC LL O 3e A52/ANCE ;N-X 46 VARIABLE CORRECTION 0| |T FEEDBACK 56 -G PATI-I 43 RETARD DLI/M SL52 +N+x SYNC 58 V 'IL'QRMAMODE +N SYNC NORMAL 48 MODE CONTROL DUMP PULSE TO IaD 34 PATH 44 2f f T READOUT l SAMPLE -A MONO GATE PULSESOURCES 42 TIMING TO DIGITAL DET. 37 54 SAMPLE PULSE 62 La) REFERENCE SAMPLE LU a O O pl 2:' Z Q w (b) DECISION SAMPLE LU Y I 2 I.. 5 l 2 /A/vf/vro/Ps HAROLD C. KLUEvER By KENNETH R. MacDAvID SYNCHRONIZATION OFFSET ATTORNEY Sept. l0, 1968 H', c. KLUEVER ET Ax. 3,401,339

BIT SYNCHRONIZATION OF DPSK DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 18, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 D fr /NVE/WORS H HAROLD C. KLUEVER KENNETH R. MocDAvlD By i Afro/PNB United States Patent O 3,401,339 BIT SYNCHRONIZA'I'ION OF DPSK DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Harold C. Kluever, Williamsville, and Kenneth R. Mac- David, Clarence Center, N.Y., assignors to Sylvania Electric Products Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 480,603 8 Claims. (Cl. 325-30) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A DPSK communication system in which the demodulation timing rates are bit synchronized by transmitting for a given period of time an all mark phase reversing message offset by one-half an information bit from normal mode timing. The DPSK demodulator comprises an integrate and dump filter, a digital detector, and a timing source of sample and dump pulses which includes a variable digital divider controlled by feedback signals from the digital detector and a mode selection signal. In the synchronizing mode, the phase of the integrate and dump filter is sampled twice each integration interval, and the time rates from the divider are advanced or retarded in response to the presence or absence of a phase change in that interval.

This invention relates generally to digital communication systems, and more particularly to improved means for establishing and maintaining bit synchronization between a differentially phase shift keyed transmitter and receiver. More broadly, the invention relates to improved means for bit synchronizing a local timing source with received binary coded information.

A digital communication-system using optimum detection techniques, such as integrate and dump filters, requires that bit synchronization be established between the transmitter and receiver. This synchronization must be established and maintained to within some fraction of an information interval. To illustrate, consider a typical differentially phase shift keyed (DPSK) communication system, shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, generally comprising a transmitter or exciter 10 for generating a bi-phase modulated carrier signal and a receiver 12 for detecting the transmitted information. Transmitter 10 includes a carrier oscillator 14, the output of which is modulated in a discrete biphase modulator 16 by an information generator 18 controlled by timing source 20. Receiver 12 includes a radio frequency (RF) amplifier 22, a mixer 24 for mixing the input from the RF amplifier with a signal from a local oscillator 26 to provide an intermediate frequency (IF) output signal, an intermediate frequency amplifier 28, a DPSK signal demodulator 30, and a utilization device 32, which, for example, may comprise data processing equipment such as a computer or teletypewriter system decoder and printer.

The DPSK demodulator 30 typically includes an integrate and dump (I & D) filter 34, or other suitable high Q resonant circuit, to which the IF signal output of amplifier 28 is applied, a digital detector 36 for sampling the output of the I & D filter and providing phase storage and comparison functions and an output to the utilization device, and a timing source comprising an oscillator 38 and a digital divider 40 and having dump and sample pulse outputs for controlling the quenching rate of the I & D filter and the sampling rate of the digital detector. An integrate and dump filter suitable for use in the receiver is described in Pat. No. 3,056,890 and a suitable digital detector is described in application Ser. No. 449,- 658 filed Apr. 20, 1965, in the names of Dennis J. Gooding and Andrew Wartella, employees of applicants as- Patented Sept. 10, 1968 ice signee, and assigned to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force.

In a DPSK system, as is well known, information is transmitted by the presence or absence of phase reversals on the carrier. In demodulating a DPSK signal, the phase of each information bit is compared to the phase of the previous bit. If a phase reversal occurs, a mark or l bit is indicated, and if the phase remains the same, a space or 0 bit is indicated. Hence, I & D filter 34 is arranged to integrate the IF signal for a period equal to that of one information bit and to be quenched at the end of each such period; i.e., the filter is dumped at the information bit rate. The digital detector 36 samples the IF output from the I & D filter at the information bit rate, makes a decision as to whether there is a phase difference between information bits, and provides an output signal to the utilization device 32 indicating whether received bits are marks or spaces. To enable the demodulator to provide a coherent output, the timing source which controls quenching and sampling must Ibe bit synchronized with the transmitter information; i.e., the I & D filter must start integrating at the start of the transmitted information bit period and be quenched at the end of the transmitted information bit period.

Prior solutions to this problem of establishing bit synchronization have been relatively complex and unreliable. For example, one obvious solution is transmission of a single, short bit length), amplitude modulated pulse. The pulse can be envelope detected, and the leading edge used to establish synchronization. This technique, however, requires a broad bandwidth to obtain the required definition, which, in turn results in a degradation of signal-to-noise ratio during transmission of synchronizing pulses if the transmitter is peak power limited. Also, dynamic range is a problem in detecting amplitude modulated pulses.

Another solution to bit synchronization is the use of a short pattern generator in a Search and lock technique where the receiver is hunting for a correlation peak. This technique, however, is considerably more complex from an implementation point of view, and also presents dynamic range problems in the decision circuits.

Yet another known solution employs an auxiliary channel and operates on amplitude comparison information to provide bit synchronization. The present invention, on the other hand, achieves bit synchronization using the existing information channel, with some minor modifications, and operates on phase information rather than amplitude information, thereby providing a significant signal to noise improvement.

With an appreciation of the shortcomings of available bit synchronization techniques, applicants have as a general object of the present invention to provide improved means for bit synchronizing a local timing source with a received binary coded signal.

A principal object of the invention is to provide improved means -for establishing and maintaining bit synchronization between a DPSK transmitter and receiver.

Another object is to provide bit synchronization for a digital communication system which does not require an additional channel in the receiver.

A further object is to provide a digital communication system in which bit synchronization is accomplished using phase decision circuitry, as opposed to amplitude detection and comparison circuits, thereby providing improved signal-to-noise characteristics.

A still further object of the invention is to simplify receiver construction in a digital communication system by eliminating the need for an auxiliary bit synchronizing channel in the receiver.

Yet another object is to provide a bit synchronization technique for a digital communication system having l salse `improved reliability "andy signal-to-nois'e.A performance'2 at minimum costgand complexity. v v W ""'Brieiiyfthe"foregoing objectsare achieved in a DPSK communication system by transmitting to the receiver for a given period of time an all mark ,phase reversing message offset by one-half an information `bit. At the receiver, the existing information channel is u sed for b 'it synchronizing, except that the lDPSK demodulator, which' includes an I'& D iilter, digital detector andtiming source, is slightly modified. More specifically, the digital divider in the timing 'source isv made variable, and a Ifeedback signal path is provided between the digital detector and divider. In the synchronizing mode, the phase of the y'I &-D filter output is sampled Vtwice each integration interval and the timing'source is" advanced or `retarded in response to they presence or absence of a phase change in that interval. Hence, the sampled phase is'used in` a closed loop feedback circuit to locatev the I & D filter sample and dump pulses at the peak of the correlation curve. Y v

Other objects, features and advantages of4 theinvention, andv a, better-understanding of its construction and operation, will be evident fromv the following-description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical prior art DPSK communication system, to which reference has previously been made;

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram showing the relative phase of information transmitted in the normal and synchronizing modes in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a DPSK communication system including a demodulator circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a variable digital divider useful in the DPSK system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram of the pulse outputs of the variable digital divider of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram of a typical synchronizing cycle of the DPSK system of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a set of graphs illustrating the relative signalto-noise ratio vs. synchronization offset for reference and decision sampling of a system embodying the invention.

The present invention solves the problem of establishing bit synchronization between a DPSK transmitter and receiver of the type shown in FIG. 1 by a relatively simple technique which permits use of the normal DPSK information channel with only relatively minor circuit modifications. In accordance with the invention, system operation is divided into a synchronizing mode and a normal mode. In the normal mode, the system operates as previously described; that is, a binary coded DPSK signal consisting of a sequence of information bits at a substantially constant rate, coded by the presence or absence of phase-reversals, is transmitted to the receiver. At the receiver, the `demodulator I & D filter is quenched at the information bit rate by dump pulses from the timing source, and the digital detector is operative in response to timing source sample pulses to sample the output of the I & D lter just prior to each quenching, at the information bit rate, and perform sample storage and comparison functions to indicate the relative phase difference between information bits.

During the synchronizing (SYNC) mode of operation, a series of phase reversals (all mark information) is transmitted at the information bit rate, but offset in phase by one-half an information bit yfrom normal mode timing. The relative phase of the information transmitted in the normal and synchronizing modes is illustrated in the timing diagram of FIG. 2. At the receiver, the demodulator I & D filter is still quenched at the information bit rate, but the sampling rate is doubled and middle of the bit decisions are inhibited so as only to compare the phase of a sample at the end of an information bit period, just prior to quenching, with that in the middle lo th bit, hlt way between .dump pulses, and means i s ,provided..,formvarying: thewoutput pulse grate. .of the timing source in response to correction signals from the digital detector. By this technique, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, bit synchronization is obtained. vl-

.System operation may-be switched to-the synchronizing model by any one ofa number of methods. For` example, the *transmitterIh and receiver (may, be programmed-'onv Va real-time basis .to switch to'c the synchronizing-modeifor a specified len'gtiiof time at periodic intervals. This method not only establishes bit synchronization, but assures that such synchronization is maintained in theY presence of possible sorcesof fdes'ynchronization, such 'as oscillator drift or movement of the transmitter or receiver; Y Another me'thodcompises transmitting almown corrimand 'message which can be detected b'y the receiver regardless of' the' state 'of"`synchroni'z'a`tion. For example, if a series of 0 or space bits is transmitted (i.e., aperiod of noplase-reversals) the detector, even though out of synchronization'in 'dump'and" sample pulse timing, will providea coherent output of a series of fspaces tothe utilization deviceSZThe decoder in the utilization dev vice can be designed to recognize this command message and signal the demodulator to operate in the synchronizing mode for a given period of time.

Referring now to the system block diagram shownl in FIG. 3,-it will be noted that receiver 13 is similar to receiver 12 (FIG. 1), except that DPSK demodulator 31 has been modified to enableits being used for bit synchronizing the demodulator timingv source with thelreceived DPSK signal. More specifically, a digital detector 37 isemployed which is identical to detector 36 except for the inclusion of a readout gate, a variable digital divider 41 isused to provide thedump and sample pulse outputs, and the following signal paths are added: a readout gate timing path 42 from the divider to detector, a correction feedback path 43 from the digital detector to the divider, and a* synchronizing/normal mode controlL path 44 from the utilization device to the divider.

'Digital detector 37 may also be 'similar to the circuit describedv in aforesaid patent applicationSer. No. 449,65 8 which will here be described to the extent necessary to show its relationship to the balance of the system. It comvoltage level, indicating a space, ,is providedas the out-VA prises a sampling gate controlled by the sample pulse outl put of divider 41, a resettable' recirculating counter for storing the phase of each sample, logic circuitry for com; paring the phase ofeach vsample with that of the irn-` mediately preceding sample' and providing a decision signal output indicative of the'pr'esencecr absence of a phase change between' compared samples, and associated timing circuits. The decision signal output element of the therein described detector consists of an AND gate controlled by the counter via-'a logic matrix to allow or inhibit each pulse from the sampling gate; thereby indicating'a mar-k or a spac'e,"?' respectively.' In the present system, however,I

a flip-Hop `is preferably employed asthe detector decision output elementratherthan anAND gate, and the counter matrixsignal'isapplied as a steering voltage'tocontrol whethertheip-op is set or reset by trigger pulses from' the samplinggate. In thefnormal mode,-if a phase transitlonoccurs between s'amples,'v the counter matrix signal allows the deci-sion Hip-flop to be triggered to the set ycondition. bythe pulse from the sampling-gate, thereby storinga v.l in the flip-flop and providingfa corresponding, first voltage. level as thewdetectorl output indicating a markfdecision .Absence of a ,phase change results in a O being stored in the decision flip-dop and a second putsgnal to the'utilization device 32,.

Correction feedbaclcpathy43 isconnected to one Vof,V

the output terminals of the output ip-fiop of the detector." Consequently, during the synchronizing mode, the` out--v put flip-flop provides a two-state control voltage for `ap-l plication to variable digital dividerl 41 as a pulse rate correction. More specifically, the l voltage level, which indicates a phase change between samples, signals the divider to advance the dump and sample pulse rates, and the 0 voltage level represents a retard decision. Although the sampling rate is twice the dump rate in the synchronizing mode, a readout gate is provided for inhibiting the trigger to the decision ilip-flop in the middle of a bit; this readout gate may be a trigger input AND gate controlled by timing signals applied via path 42. Hence, the state of the decision flip-flop in the sync mode represents the comparison of the I & D filter output phase at the end of a bit with that in the middle of the bit.

Referring now to the block diagram of FIG. 4, the variable digital divider 41 may comprise a conventional digital frequency divider 46 adapted to be varied in division ratio in response to control signals applied thereto and appropriate control logic circuitry. Typically, divider 46 is a digital counter consisting of a series of flip-iiop stages with an output reset monostable having feedback connections to certain of the flip-flops to provide the desired count. To enable control of the division ratio, divider 46 also includes appropriate logic circuitry to vary the count by switching the feedback connections in response to applied control signals.

Divider-46 has an input terminal connected to the output of oscillator 3S, a set of pulse outputs providing two sources of sample pulses and one source of dump pulses, and three control terminals, +N, -z-(N-l-X) and +(N-X), there N is the normal mode division ratio and X is the correction step. If the dump pulse rate is f, then the pulse repetition rates of the sample pulse sources are f and 2f, respectively, the 2f output being derived from an appropriate ilip-op stage of the divider. Application of a control signal to the -z-N terminal of divider 46 provides sample and dump pulse outputs with f equal to the information bit rate. Typically, the f sample pulses occur at the leading edge of the dump pulses, as illustrated by waveforms (a) and (b) in the timing diagram of FIG. 5, so as to provide sampling just prior to quenching. Application of a control signal to the +(N-i-X) terminal changes the division ratio to reduce the output pulse rates and may therefore be referred to as a retard correction. The :(N-X) count provides an increase in the output pulse rates and is called an advance correction.

The variable digital divider 41 is shown as having three control terminals: a mode control terminal 48 to which signal path 44 from utilization device 32 is connected, and advance and retard terminals S0 and 52, respectively, to which correction feedback .path 43 from detector 37 is connected. The sync/ normal mode control signal is derived from a programmer or decoder in the utilization device 32, as previously described, and, typically, may comprise a square pulse waveform signal whereby the reference level represents the normal mode and the pulse width represents the duration of the synchronizing mode.

Mode control terminal 48 is connected in parallel to the +N control terminal of divider 46, to an input of an AND gate 54, and to the inhibit inputs of AND gates 56, 58 and 60. Advance terminal 50 is connected to the other input of AND gate 56, the output of which is connected to the +(N-X) terminal of divider 46, and retard terminal 52 is connected to the other input of AND gate 58, which has its output connected to the -z-(N-i-X) control input of divider 46. The dump pulse output of divider 46 is connected directly to the quench control terminal of I & D ilter 34. The f and 2f sample pulse outputs, however, are connected to the other inputs of gates 54 and 60, respectively, and the outputs of AND gates 54 and 60 a-re connected via an OR gate 62 to the sample pulse input of detector 37. The dump pulse output of divider 46 is also connected to the trigger input -of a monostable circuit 64, the output of which-a square wave timing signalis applied to the readout gate of detector 37 via path 42.

In operation, a normal mode signal level at terminal 48 inhibits correction feedback gates 56 and 5S and the 2f sample pulse output gate 60, signals divider 46 to provide output pulses at the information bit rate, and enables gate 54 to allow the f sample pulses to be applied directly to detector 37 at the information bit rate. A sync mode signal level at terminal 48, however, removes the inhibit signals from gates 56, 58 and 60, removes the enabling signal from gate 54, and removes the -:-N control signal. The correction feedback signal applied via path 43 from the detector output flip-flop to terminals 50 and 52, as previously mentioned, is a two state signal whereby a first voltage level or a 1 indicates a phase change between samples and a second voltage level or 0 indicates 4absence of a phase change. As correction signals, the first voltage level represents the need for an advance in the pulse rate, and the Isecond voltage level represents a retard correction signal. Consequently, in the absence of inhibit signals, advance gate 56 lallows only the advance signal level, and retard gate 58 allows only the retard signal level.

During the synchronizing mode, therefore, the output pulse rates of divider 46 are controlled only by the advance and retard correction signals, an advance voltage level signalling divider 46, via terminal 50 and gate 56, to divide the oscillator frequency by N-X to thereby increase the output pulse rates, and a retard signal, applied via terminal 52 and gate 58, reducing the divider pulse rates by an N -l-X division ratio. Also during the synchronizing mode, only the 2f sample pulse source is enabled, via gate 60', such that the sample pulse rate applied to detector 37 from divider 41 is double the receiver bit rate, as illustrated in FIG. 5(0). The divider 46 dump pulse output (FIG. 5(b)) is also applied so as to lire monostable 64 with its trailing edge at the receiver bit rate and thereby provide the timing pulse output shown in FIG. 5 (d), for controlling the readout AND gate in detector 37.

Each negative-going pulse from monostable 64 is operative to disable the detector readout gate, the time constant of the monostable being selected so as to provide a pulse duration sufficient to inhibit middle of the bit decisions but allow end of bit decisions as follows: Referring to waveform (c) in FIG. 5, it will be noted that the doubled sample rate during the `sync mode provides one set of sample pulses, labeled D, which coincide with the leading edge of the dump pulses, and hence occur prior to the firing of monostable 64 at a point on the timing waveform (d) during which the detector readout gate is enabled, and another set of sample pulses, denoted R, which fall half-way between dump pulses; that is, sample pulses occur at the middle and end of each integration interval. For purposes of explanation, the R, or middle of bit pulses, `will be called reference samples and the D, or end of bit pulses, will be referred to as decision samples. Arrival `of a sample pulse at the detector enables the detector sampling gate to allow the first positive zero crossing of the IF signal output from the I & D filter to produce a gate output pulse. The gate output pulse initiates reset of the recirculating counter of the detector to thereby store the phase of the IF sample, and is applied to the readout gate at the trigger input of the decision flip-l op of the detector. If this sample pulse is a reference sample, the gate output pulse will initiate counter reset to store phase, ybut it will be blocked by the readout gate from triggering the decision flip-op; that is, a reference sample triggers detector storage but not decision. If a decision sample pulse is applied to the detector, however, phase storage will -be accomplished and the readout gate will be enabled by the timing pulse from monostable 64 to aliow the decision output Hip-flop to be triggered. In other words, the readout gate is timed to inhibit sample comparison decision at the middle of each integration interval, but to allow such decision at the end of the inte gration interval.

summarizing the operation of the DPSK system of FIG. 3 vduring the synchronizing mode, the transmitter sends an all mark phase reversing message offset by one-half an information bit, as illustrated in FIG. `2. At the receiver the following sequence of events takes place:

(l). The digital detector samples the IF output from the I & D filter at twice the normalbit rate. This process com? pares the phasefat thel end of areceiver bit period (just prior.to-quenching).,with the phase at the middle of. the bit period (halfway Ibetween dump pulses (2) lf a phase -changeioccurs between the middle and end of the bit, a decisionis made to advancefthe timing chain,v this being accomplished by varyingthe timing source division ratioto increase the dump and sample pulse rates. Y y

(3);If no phase change occursbetween the middle and end of the bit, a decision ismade tovretard the receiver timing chain, this 'being effected by varying the timing source division ratio to decrease the dump and sample pulse rates.

A continuous time pattern of the receiver synchronizing cycle using onetenth of a bit correction steps is shown in the timingdiagram of FIG. 6. The one-tenth steps are presented forillustrative purposes only and can be provided in the system by designing divider 46 such that the N X division ratio advances the pulse rate to thereby reduce the receiver bit period by one-tenth of an information bit and the N-l-X division ratio retards the timing rate to lengthen the receiver bit period by one-tenth of an information bit.

The top scale line of the FIG. 6 timing diagram indi cates the phase pattern of the transmitted information bit stream in the synchronizing mode; that is, the bit rate is offset by one-half an information bit from normal mode timing (as illustrated in FIG. 2). This is the phase pattern of the IF signal input to the I & D filter. Waveforms (-A), (B) land (C) illustrate the envelope pattern of the integrate and dump filter output for three different initial out-of-synchronization conditions. The time scales of these waveforms are all referred to the transmitter information bit phase pattern of the top scale line. In an effort to simplify the waveform drawings for purposes of clarity, the IF signal waveform bounded by the I & D output envelope patterns has been omitted from all but the first integration interval of waveform (A). The and 1r radians label associated with each envelope enclosure indicates the phase of the IF signal Within that envelope enclosure.

Immediately above each waveform is a scale of the I & D filter output sample times for that respective waveform. The short time marks denote reference samples and the longer time marks represent decision samples. The phase of the output sample (0 or 1r radians) is indicated just Ibelow each time mark, and the 0 or l decision for each integration interval is denoted just above each of the longer decision sample time marks. The vertical dotted line aligned Iwith each decision sample time mark represents the dump times.

Waveform (A) starts with an initial phase offset of 1/2 information bit, the maximum out-of-synchronization condition. That is, the receiver timing is `1/2 bit out of synchronization with normal mode timing; this, of course, makes the receiver bit rate in synchronization with the sync mode bit rate, since the sync mode timing is also offset 1/2 bit from normal mode timing. Consequently, the energy in the integrate and dump lter 34, which is of 40 radian phase relative to the input, builds up rapidly to a maximum level and is then dumped without a change in the phase of the output. Hence, the first sampling cycle establishes `a. reference sample which is `0 radians with the decision sample also being 0 radians. This condition ofy no phase change in the IIF signal output from the I & D filter causes a 0 or retard signal level to be applied to the timing source. The retard correction'is inserted into the receiver timing by extending the interval of the variable divider. This results in a lengthened integration inter- This ideal. in-sync envelope leads to samplingambiguity,v

val r`over the next. .'bitrConsequently, the second interval between dump pulses includes the effect of an inputfinfor-l mation` phase reversal (from 1r to A0) toward the ,end of the interval. That is, the IF signal energyin integrator 34 'builds up with a relative phase of 1r radians. .tothe phase reversal point ofthe inputfsignal, asillustrated by the positive slope of the top envelope, and thendue tol the. input signal phase reversal, the integrator energy/is .subtracted, as yillustrated 'bythe negativeslopeof the ftop envelope. The -IF signal energy storedinvthe integrator, just prior to dump, however, is still of the same` relative phase of 1r radiansdue, to. the inherent time delay of the I & D filter. Hence, the retard correction signalpis nmain-l tained. It will be noted,in fact, vthat theifO or ijet-ardcon; dition continues until a stored energyl phase reversal ocr, curs'between the reference and decision samples.4v

During the integration interval resulting. ina ,1:"def, cision, the energy initially ofV (l phase `builds .up at a-,relativelytslow rate to the point of input signal phase reversal and then-is reduced at a rapid rate during the-1r phase input signal, since more energy -is applied whenthe phase; is reversed. Indeed, as illustrated by theenvelope cross,-v over, the energy is subtracted at such a rapidrate after the input phase reversal that the phaseof the stored energy. is reversed. Hence, whereas the reference sample of the IF signal output ofthe I & D filter is 0 radians, the decision sample is 1|- radians. Consequently, a l decisionyindicating a phase change between they middleand end of the bit, is made and anadvance signal level isappliedto the timing source. An advance correction is inserted'intorthe timing chain by reducing the. length of the integration timel over the next bit. y l

During the next bitanother l or` advance correction isl made which. steps the phase decision back to Where a retard or "0" decision is made. The movement back and forth across the phase axis continues -until the ter..h mination of the synchronizing mode. The ideal in-sync I & D output envelope during the synchronizing `mode would be of diamond shape with `zero stored energy'at dump time.` Such an I & D ouput envelope indicates the dump pulses are 1/2 bit offset lfrom the sync mode ytim-- ing or exactly bit-synchronized with normal mode timing.

however, as will be described below; hence,` bit synchronization is actually established to -within some l small' fraction of an information interval, as illustrated by the last two I & D`output envelopes of waveform.(A); i

To facilitate discu'ssionof the ambiguous sampling' regions, reference-is now made to FIG; 7.' in 'which graphs- (1a) and (b) show plots of 'the Arelative signal-"to-noise ratio of the` reference -anddecision samples,frespectiyelyj for various'outof=synchronization conditions. From FIG. 7(a)', lt'can'- be seen that 'the 'reference lsample`lv1 a`sj"'a` data transmission. It will'kalso be.` noted sync offset of the receiver timing Jis Vlagging by lffi format1on'bit,the reference phasefs'amp'le is'takeri zero occurs for decision samples taken'wlien'-the`syiic otfset is Q; i.e., the receiver is precisely bitV synchronizendl r The` diagrams of FIG. 7e`xhvibit two pointsnofam-' blguity which exists with respect to thei'eceiver timing.

advance-retarddecison; namely, those states ofs'ynchro-I nizing mode operation where either the phase referencey sample orthe phase decisionl sample` yis taken.` atafzeroI siglnal-to-noise ratio and is therefore based. on randomy noise. In either case a random advancefretard correction` will be made to the receiver timing source.,The Lformer case, as will be ,noted from FIG. 7(11), can only occur zero lS`/N ratio. Referring to FIG. `7(h'),a m'afxinlumY S/N lratio of one occurs for decision f samjplesl taken:- whenthe'receiveris'otfset `by '1/2 bit, and a S/N ratio'of 9, when the receiver timing is exactly 1A bit behind transmitter normal modetiming. In this condition, however, a correction step in eitherfdirection from thMzfbit' olset will resultfina decision lto continuesteppingin-Ithat direction until synchronism has been achieved. In the latter ease of thev receivers-being precisely bit synchronized l'and the vdecision sample being'taken at zero S/N, a step in either direction away from synchronism results-in a decision outputl signal toreturn'toward synchronism.'

Returning now'to FIGJ6,` corrections'from' the ambiguous samplingregions are particularlyillustrated-by waveforms (B) and (C).Waveform (B) Vis shown'with an initial phase offset of slightly less than M1 bit lagging (an-incrementto theI leftv of 1A in FIG. 7(a));-in this case,"V the advance correction feedback signalA steps the systemin the'- shortest direction toward lzero-offset vand into synchronism. Waveform (C), on the other hand, starts with aninitial vphase offset'v of slightly more than 1A bit lagging (an increment to the right 'of "1A ini FIG. 7(a)); from'this condition, -the system takes the llonger route and steps back to waveform (A) before vgoing -into 'synchronism The last series of integration intervals -of waveform (B) 'particularly illustrate the corrective action about the zero sync offset point when thedecision sample is taken in an` ambiguous region. v

From the' above description, it is seen that the 'present invention provides considerable advantages in'achieving bit 'synchronization between a- DPSK transmitter and receiver. It uses the existing DPSK receiverliinformation channel with some rather minor circuit modification, and hence avoids need for the usualV auxiliary bit ,synchronizing` channel. Using the existing DPSK demodulator, timing corrections are accomplished using phasedec'ision circuitry, thereby` providing improved -fsignal-to-noise characteristics over amplitude detectionmeans. The described bit synchronization technique provides :improved reliability and signal-'to-'noise -performance at' minimum cost and complexity. Y l

It will be understood, however, that the .invention is. not limited to DPSK systems, but'is obviously applicable to any system requiring bit synchronization of a local timing source to received binary coded information. For example, in application to aY PSK communication system,

lthe transmitter would still transmit phase reversals at the information -bit rateroliset by 1/2 bit from normal timing in the sync mode; in'this case, however, the sync message' would be a( stream of alternate-marks and spaces since inra PSK'syst'em a 0f phase shift from a fixedphase reference represents a"inarkl, and a phase Vshift from the fixed referencer'e'presents'a spacef Further, the described-DPSK demodulator would not be part of the normal PSK information channel, but would only be used for bit synch'roniz'ation' f f The technique is also applicable to bipolar analogue communications 'systems employing a DC carrier, such as those used in telephonesystems. Inthis case, the 1described demodulator would employ a DC integrator in place of an I & D filter; polarity reversals would be transmitted in the sync mode; and, amplitude rather than phase would be sampled, stored and compared.

Thus, although the inventionhas been deseribedwith respect to a particular embodiment thereof,- it is not to .be 'so limited'as changes-and modificationsl maybe made therein which are withinthe full intended scope of the in vention as `defined by the appended-claims.l ,r

'1'. -In a communication system includingntransmitter meansoperativeinfa normal mode vto transmit intelligence in the form of .a binarycoded--signal consistingjofa sequencev of information rbits at a substantiallyv constant rate coded by the ,f presence-' y 011..,absence voff signal statereversals, yand receiver means including afdemodulatortiming source having `iirst'-and second pulseioutputs, .app-a.- ratus' for bitlsynchronizing said timing source witha received binary coded signal, saidx apparatus cornprising:

1'0 meansin said transmitter'operativ'e selectively to change operation thereof from said normal'r'node-'to a synchronizing mode consisting of vtransmission of signal statereversals at said substantially constant rate offset in phase by one-half an information bit from normal mode-timing; means in said receiver means operative to integrate said received binary coded signaliand to bey quenched in-re sponse to dump pulses applied theretofromthe Vfirst pulse output of saidtiming source; detection means connected to said integrating'means and operative tosample 'the output of said integrating means,l to` storef thesignal state of saidsample, yand to compare the signal state' of lfeach sample with that of the immediately preceding sample and to provide a-decision -signal output indicative'of kthepresence or absence of a signal state change between compared samples, the sampling of the output of said integratingmeans being controlled by sample pulses applied to s'aid detection means from thef-second pulse output of said timing source; means operative to double the sample pulse vrate applied to rsaid detection means'durin'gsaid synchronizing imode of operation over the rate during said' normal mode 'whereby sample pulses occurlat'the middle and end of the integration interval'between dump pulses; means operative to inhibit sample comparison decision of said detection means at the middle of said integration interval; and means for varying the output pulse rate of said timing source in response to correction signals applied thereto from the decision signal output of said detection means during said synchronizing mode.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said binary coded signal is a differentially phase shift keyed signal, and signal state refers to phase.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said binary coded signal is a phase shift keyed signal, and signal state refers to phase.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said binary coded signal is a bipolar signal, signal state refers to polarity or amplitude, and said integrating means is a direct current integrator.

5. In a digital communication system including means operative in a normal mode to transmit a binary coded signal consisting of a sequence of information bits at a substantially constant rate coded by the presence or absence of phase-reversals, and receiver means for receiving said signal including a demodulator timing source having first and second pulse outputs, apparatus for bit synchronizing said timing source with the received binary coded signal, said apparatus comprising: means in said transmitter operative selectively to change operation thereof from saivd normal mode to a synchronizing mode consisting of transmission of phase-reversals at the information bit rate offset in phase by one-half an information bit from normal mode timing; a resonant integrating circuit having an input to which said received binary coded signal is applied and operative to be quenched in response to dump pulses applied thereto from the rst pulse output of said timing source, said resonant circuit being tuned to the frequency of the signal applied to its input; a detector having an input coupled to the output of said resonant integrating circuit an-d operative to sample said resonant circuit output, store the phase of said sample, compare the phase of each sample `with that of the immediately preceding sample and provide a decision signal output indicative of the presence or absence of a phase change between compared samples, said detector being controlled in sampling by sample pulses applied thereto from the second pulse output of said timing source; means for doubling the sample pulse yrate applied to said detector during said synchronizing -mode of operation, whereby sample pulses occur at the middle and end of the integration interval between dump pulses; means for inhibiting-said detector phase change decision at the middle of said integration interval; and, means for varying the output pulse, rates of said timing source in response to correction signals 1 1- applied thereto from the decision signal output of said detector during said synchronizing mode.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim S wherein said resonant integrating circuit is an integrate and dump filter.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said timing source comprises anoscillator having an output terminal, a frequency divider connected to the output terminal of said oscillator, and wherein said means for varying the output pulse rates of said timing source com,- prises means operative to vary the division ratio of said divider in response to said correction signals.

8. In a digital communication system including means operative in anormal mode to transmit a binary coded signal consisting of a sequence of information bits at a substantially constant rate coded by the presence or absen-ce of phase-reversals, land receiver means including a demodulator comprising a timing source of dump. and sample pulses, a resonant integrating circuit having an input to which said received binary coded signal is applied and operative to be quenched in response to dump pulses applied thereto from said timing source, said resonant circuit being tuned to the frequency of the signal a=p plied to its input, and a digital detector having an input coupled to the output of said resonant integrating circuit and operative to sample said resonant circuit output, store the phase of said sample, compare the phase of each sample with that of the immediately preceding sample and provide a decision signal output indicative of the presence or absence of a phase change between compared samples, said detector adapted to be controlled in sampling by sample pulses applied thereto from said timing source, apparatus for bit synchronizing said Vdemodu lator timing source with the received normal mode binary coded signal comprising: means iny said transmitter operative selectively to change operation thereof-,from said normal mode to a synchronizing mode Vconsisting of transmission of a binary coded signal vconsisting of phase-reversals 'at thel informationv bit rate offset -in phase by one-half an information bit from normal mode timing; means operative in response to receipt of said synchronizing .mode binary coded signal. to double the sample pulse rate applied to said vdetector whereby sample pulses occur at the mi'iddle and end ofthe integration interval between durnp pulses; means operative vto inhibit said detector phase change decision at the middle of said integration interval; and, `means operative in response to said synchronizing mode binary coded signal for varying the dump and sample Ipulse rates of said timing source in response to correction signals applied thereto from the decision signal output of said detector.

References` Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,059,188 10/1962 Voelcker 178'-66 X 3,128,343 4/1964 Baker Q 178-67 3,349,330 10/1967 Wedmore v 325-30 X 

